Magnetic resonance histology: in situ single cell imaging of receptor cells in an invertebrate (Lolliguncula brevis, Cephalopoda) sense organ.

Utilizing contrast-enhanced MR histology, individual cell bodies were identified in situ and compared one-to-one with conventional histology. The squid Lolliguncula brevis served as a model where the receptor cells of the proprioceptive neck receptor organ were labeled with paramagnetic cobalt(II) ions by conventional cobalt iontophoresis. Stimulated echo images were obtained using a 9.4 T magnet and followed by conventional histologic treatment and light microscopy. Images obtained from both these techniques match well and validate MR histology.